
PepsiCo Champions Malaysians’ Right to Food and a Better Future on World Food Day
October 23, 2024In honor of World Food Day, PepsiCo joined forces with The Assembly Soup Kitchen (TASK) to distribute over 1,000 food packs to underserved communities in Malaysia. These packs included Tropicana fruit drinks, Quaker 3in1 Cereal Drinks, Quaker Cookies, and Lay’s Potato Chips, and were directed towards students in refugee schools, homeless individuals, and members of the B40 group in Kuala Lumpur’s Chow Kit area.
PepsiCo’s food distribution drive took place in two phases. In August, PepsiCo employees and their families prepared and distributed fresh meals. The second phase, during the week of October 16-23, involved distributing 1,000 Nourishing Food packs. This initiative aligns with PepsiCo’s mission to improve access to nutrition and reflects this year’s World Food Day theme: “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.”
“Food security is vital for communities to thrive, yet many around the world, including in Malaysia, face food insecurity—a crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Aditya Ahuja, Commercial Director for PepsiCo Foods in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Pacific Islands. “Our partnership with TASK builds on PepsiCo’s ongoing efforts to ensure that vulnerable communities in Malaysia have access to proper nutrition, as part of our PepsiCo Positive (pep+) mission.”
Supporting Food Security with PepsiCo Positive (pep+)
Launched in 2021, PepsiCo Positive (pep+) is a strategic transformation centered on three pillars: Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain, and Positive Choices. These pillars focus on sustainability, social responsibility, and community support.
The Positive Value Chain pillar highlights PepsiCo’s commitment to addressing social issues like food insecurity, improving livelihoods, and fostering sustainable growth. By partnering with local organizations such as TASK, PepsiCo aims to provide nutritious food to underserved communities and strengthen community support networks.
“Communities are central to our Positive Value Chain efforts,” said Ahuja. “In Malaysia, as in many other places, food insecurity remains a pressing concern. Through pep+, we work with local partners to provide immediate aid while contributing to long-term solutions that empower and build resilience within these communities.”
The Positive Agriculture pillar promotes sustainable farming practices, enhanced crop yields, and ecosystem regeneration to ensure a responsible food supply chain. The Positive Choices pillar focuses on improving the nutrient profile of PepsiCo’s products and helping consumers make healthier choices. Together, these pillars guide PepsiCo’s mission to grow with purpose, positively impacting both communities and the environment.
Community Engagement through Partnerships
PepsiCo is also committed to promoting health and wellness in Malaysia through initiatives that encourage balanced nutrition and physical activity. On September 22, 2024, Quaker, a PepsiCo brand, sponsored the Coway Run at Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur. This event showcased Quaker’s All-In-One Cereal Mixes and Cookies, highlighting their role in supporting nutrition and active lifestyles.
By offering products like Quaker 3in1 Cereal Drinks, packed with essential nutrients for instant energy, Quaker aimed to enhance the participants’ experience during the race. With 7,800 participants receiving Quaker products, the sampling initiative reached 92% of attendees, reinforcing PepsiCo’s commitment to supporting both nutrition and community engagement.
“We are deeply grateful to PepsiCo for continuously providing food packs to those in need,” said Mun Keong, Founder of TASK. “This contribution is having a significant impact on vulnerable communities, ensuring they receive the food and support they need. Partnerships like this are crucial in addressing the urgent issue of food insecurity.”